Missing in action: Ukrainian soldiers desert during Germany training

In Saxony-Anhalt, the interior ministry is aware of around 80 cases and across Germany, there are said to be hundreds of such incidents of Ukrainian troops deserting after completing their military training.

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The federal government has not yet published any official nationwide statistics. Nor are any publicly confirmed figures currently available from other states.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, around 29,000 Ukrainian soldiers have undergone training in Germany, according to the Bundeswehr.

The training takes place at numerous sites. The soldiers learn, among other things, how to handle weapons, camouflage techniques and basic first aid. After completing the course, they are normally expected to return to Ukraine and be deployed there.

For soldiers who do not return, desertion can have legal consequences: leaving their unit without permission may be treated as desertion and a conviction can carry several years in prison.

At the same time, the question arises of what happens to those affected while they are in Germany. The simplified residence status for Ukrainian war refugees generally does not automatically apply to soldiers who were sent from Ukraine to Germany for training.

Asylum applications in Germany likely to be unsuccessful

Some may nevertheless try to remain in Germany by applying for asylum.

As Euronews reported in June, EU member states agreed in Brussels to exclude men of military age from a scheme granting an automatic right to protection in the EU.

This was done at the request of the Ukrainian government.

Under the decision, only people who have already completed their military service in Ukraine or are exempt from it are to benefit from the simplified admission rules.

This was announced by the Council of EU member states. As proof, a stamp in the passport or an official certificate will in future be required, showing that the person’s departure from Ukraine was lawful or that they are exempt from military service.